A Family Rooted in Service

The High Commissioner's dedication to diplomacy can be traced back to her upbringing in a family rooted in public service. The youngest of three siblings, she grew up in a household where both her parents were committed to serving others. Her father was a senior civil servant, while her mother worked in the development sector, having started her career as a schoolteacher. Their example instilled in her a strong moral compass and a desire to contribute to society in a meaningful way. “My father’s distinguished career in the civil service played a pivotal role in shaping my aspirations,” she explained. “He encouraged all of us to consider careers in public service.”

Driven by this encouragement, High Commissioner Islam sat for the Bangladesh Civil Service examination in 1993, a competitive and rigorous process. In 1995, she officially joined the Bangladesh Foreign Service, opting for diplomacy to fulfil her “need to engage with the wider world and contribute to Bangladesh’s interests on the international stage.”

Formative Years in London

Her early years in diplomacy were marked by her first posting in London, where she joined the Bangladesh High Commission as Second Secretary in 2001. Over the next three years, she climbed the ranks to First Secretary and later Counsellor. Her time in London was not only formative professionally but also deeply enriching. “I handled a wide range of responsibilities, from consular and administrative affairs to cultural and political engagements,” she recalled. “It was an invaluable learning experience and allowed me to build a strong network with the British-Bangladeshi diaspora and the broader diplomatic community.” These early connections have remained significant throughout her career, and returning to the UK has given her the chance to rekindle many of those relationships.

Leadership Roles in Dhaka

High Commissioner Islam served in two key divisions as Director General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka. First, she led the International Organisations wing, where she coordinated Bangladesh’s engagement with multilateral bodies such as the Commonwealth, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation. “This role allowed me to advocate for Bangladesh’s development priorities on global platforms and deepen our multilateral partnerships,” she explained.

Subsequently, she was appointed Director General of the Americas, where she oversaw high-level bilateral engagements with countries across the Western Hemisphere, including Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and the United States. “We successfully held our first-ever Foreign Office consultations with Brazil and signed an MOU on foreign office consultations with Mexico,” she noted. “It was also a time of expanding our presence in Latin America, with initiatives like virtual meetings with Colombia and the first conference of Latin American ambassadors in Dhaka.”

Ambassadorial appointments

Ambassadorial appointments in the Republic of Korea and Mexico further cemented her reputation as a seasoned diplomat with a human-centered approach. In Korea, she prioritised the welfare of Bangladeshi migrant workers under the Employment Permit System. Recognising the educational barriers many faced, she introduced remote learning opportunities in partnership with Bangladesh Open University. “I believe that even while working abroad, our citizens should have access to education and skills training,” she said. “It empowers them, both economically and personally.” Her work extended to children of migrant families, for whom she facilitated virtual learning opportunities to overcome linguistic and financial challenges in Korean schools. Her tenure culminated in a landmark visit by the Korean Prime Minister to Bangladesh in 2019, resulting in significant agreements in education, ICT, culture, and investment.

In Mexico, the High Commissioner turned her focus to cultural diplomacy and re-establishing consular services. She initiated Bangladesh’s first participation in the Guadalajara International Book Fair, introduced e-passport services, and organised foreign office consultations with Mexico. Literary and cultural exchanges, such as the translation of works by Kazi Nazrul Islam into Spanish and public art installations, helped raise Bangladesh’s profile. “These efforts humanise diplomacy,” she explained. “They allow people in host countries to connect with Bangladesh on a cultural and emotional level.”

A Strategic Vision in the UK

As High Commissioner in London, Ms Islam’s goals are comprehensive. Her primary areas of focus include strengthening trade and investment ties, engaging the British-Bangladeshi diaspora, advancing cultural and academic collaboration, and amplifying Bangladesh’s voice in global forums such as the Commonwealth and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). “Post-LDC graduation, our economic diplomacy needs to be sharp and strategic,” she said, referencing Bangladesh’s transition from Least Developed Country status in 2026. “Securing market access, attracting investment, and promoting technology transfer are vital to our continued growth.”

She is also committed to enhancing consular services through digitalisation and ensuring support for Bangladeshi students and expatriates in the UK. Special emphasis is placed on second-generation British-Bangladeshis, who she believes are vital connectors between the two nations. “We must nurture their cultural identity and empower them to play leadership roles in business, politics, and academia.”